The inevitables

One can only toboggan for a certain amount of hours before becoming both very wet and very cold. We sled through the hills until we were basically drenched but since it hadn’t snowed like this in years, we had to go as long as possible.

My father had brought us in when he was done, which was pretty much after spending the entire day outside. Peter had to go back home but he promised James like eighteen times that he would come back. My mum was sad he left without saying goodbye to her but James repeated the promise that he would be back.

I was anxious spending my break with the Marauders but it was incredibly fun so far. Mary would be so jealous.

“Why can’t we go back out?” James whined.

“It’s too close to nightfall but you can go back outside first thing in the morning how’s that?” My mum said, she was too good at being direct but also fair. James nodded and that was that. “Would you four mind helping me with a few last minute Christmas chores?” She asked and we couldn’t refuse.

We started with decorating the cake, I started with frosting stripes that alternated red and green. I even put some pink sprinkles. My brother and boys took a less creative approach and just poured frosting on the cake. While is was efficient it definitely wasn’t as pretty as my section.

After the cake we started wrapping presents for dads work friends, the Pettigrews, and a few more families down the road. Mum and I were wrapping Gully’s presents which Sirius found incredibly strange.

“We never got anything for the house elf,” Sirius said as if just noticing our families were different, “Mind you, Kreacher’s a moody git; I doubt he wants anything.” 

“They’ll take gifts as long as it’s something edible, I find,” my mum smiled, “No clothes, of course, that only upsets them.” 

“Tell mum what your lot does to house elves, Sirius,” James grinned like he couldn’t believe what Sirius was about to say. The two of their hands were more taped then any of the presents.

Sirius laughed, awkwardly, 
“Mounts their heads.” He said, “Once they’re dead. At least, I think we wait until they’re dead… Kreacher’s the only house elf I remember.” 

“Goodness,” my mum tried to hide her shock, “I had rather thought that tradition had died out.” 

“Not with the Blacks,” Sirius sighed. His mind seemed to wonder but he quickly brought his attention back to my mum.

“You’re making a lovely job of that, Remus,” My mum changed the subject thank goodness. I looked over to see Remus had perfect wrapping skills, he was too lucky. “Unlike some naughty boys I could mention…” she glared both sternly and jokingly at James and Sirius who were now stuck to the table. I smiled trying not to laugh at them.

Remus smiled timidly, he seemed shy around my parents. I didn’t want to ask why, I assumed the reason would be sad and bring bad memories. I knew Remus grew up in a boys home, I had no idea what that was though. I didn’t know if parents ran it or just adults. By Remus’s awkward stance whenever my parents entered the room, I leaned toward just adults running the show.

“You’d better go up to bed, dear,” my mum told Remus. I realized that he must be dying after the full moon and all the tobogganing. My mum being a retired healer and all must have noticed it too.

“Oh, you’re all right, aren’t you, Lupin?” Sirius grinned, “Peter’s coming back in a bit, we can go out again.” Remus looked from Sirius to James like he wanted James to tackle Sirius.

“Leave him alone, Sirius,” my mum came to his rescue, “The poor boy’s dead on his feet. Come on, dear, off you go.”  

Remus walked upstairs leaving the rest of us.

“He’s just tired from the tobogganing. He’s not used to catching up to us.” Sirius told my mum like he was hiding something.

“Sirius, I told my mum about his.. you know condition.” James explained. I immediately wondered who knew first: my parents or me.

“Oh right..” Sirius sighed and went back to unsticking his hands.

“Oh that reminds me,” my mum went into my dads office and brought back a potion. “I brewed up a healing drought for him, Hazel will you bring this to Remus?” My mum asked me. Before I could take the potion Sirius spoke up.

“I can take it to him!” He forcefully unstuck his hands. He almost ran over just to grab it.

“All yours.” I said taking myself out of the equation then I went next to James to help him unstick his hands. Sirius went upstairs and my mum went to get snacks.

“Your friends seem… off today.” I said. I didn’t know how else to put it besides asking why Sirius practically begged to take the drought to Remus.

“I think Sirius just wants to make up for cursing him.” James whispered as if it would be a crime if our mum heard.

“Right.”

“Why didn’t you invite your friends over?” James asked me. I never actually thought of it to be an option. Remus came here because he didn’t exactly have a home and Sirius hated his home. My friends have families they actually like.

“They’re spending holiday with their families.” I said as if it was obvious.

“Oh.. right… do you think you’d ever invite Lily over?” He asked hopeful. I had no idea where this was going.

“Maybe, why?” I asked but before James could answer, Sirius came back downstairs and James dropped the topic. As Mary would say, did James fancy Lily? That made no sense.

* * *

The next few days of holiday we’re mostly spent outdoors. Luckily, James was too busy with the snow to even think about quidditch which I was dreading most of all. We had enough brooms for everyone to play, but even James seemed to agree that tobogganing was better than quidditch.

I didn’t realized that hanging around four boys would be a lot more exhausting that three girls. My friends and I would toboggan for hours but we would stop to eat or relax then we’d make snow castles or something like that. The boys were not as chill. We tobogganed around every part of our property, which was hard rot do because we had so much of it.

The only relaxing part was when it was too dark to sled and we went inside to play cards and hang around my parents. I always loved being with my parents, they were so full of light and made everything fun for us. Not to mention they loved us and loved to show that. I know not everyone thinks being with their parents is enjoyable but I disagree wholeheartedly.

We spent days and days playing outside then back inside only at night it was one of the best holidays I’ve ever had. So of course things had to go wrong.

I woke up in the middle of the night on the 23, or maybe it was early morning 24. I was going to use the restroom until I saw a dark shadow on the steps. I jumped back, I almost screamed until I saw his long curly hair and blue ish gray ish eyes.

“Sorry.” He whispered “didn’t think anyone would be up.”

“Why are you-“ I stopped myself, I had a feeling this would be a long conversation and we couldn’t exactly do it whispering in the hall. I nudged towards my bedroom door “come on.” I said walking in, Sirius followed.

I turned on the light and Sirius looked around my room like it was his first time ever being in there. And it was. My room was a lot different than James’s, first off there were no quidditch posters. In the middle against the wall laid my bed with butterfly decorations on the wall. On the right side of my bed was my nightstand and on the left was my guitar. Across from my bed was my desk filled with books I haven’t read about topics I said I wanted to learn about but never did. Even so, my parents continue to buy me new books. Next to the door was my closet and on the last end of the room was a bay window with cubbies underneath.

Sirius, not knowing what to do, stood by my desk while I sat on my bed. I could tell he felt a little uncomfortable about being in my room.

“So why aren’t you asleep in your room or James room?” I asked. Sirius sighed.

“Have you ever just stayed up super late so that the next day wouldn’t come?” He answered my question with another question, not a good sign. I had no clue as to what he was talking about. I never wanted a new day not to come, I’ve stayed up because I was too excited about the next day but not afraid. Also tomorrow was Christmas eve! What could he have against that?

“Uh.. no, not really.” I said.

“Oh.. right.” Sirius said as if he just remembered who he was talking to.

“Why don’t you want tomorrow to come?” I asked. Sirius sighed.

“I’m.. I’m not supposed to be here. My mum deliberately told me that I wasn’t allowed come. I figured she would’ve grabbed me before I left Hogwarts but I’m sure that she’ll get me before Christmas. The whole family gathers and I have to be there being the heir and all.” He spoke like each word tasted sour. I thought about what he said and that his mum would come. But if she waited this long, why not just let him stay?

“Maybe she’s just letting you have fun before the party.” I suggested, he didn’t seem to agree.

“She’s not like that.” He said like a memory was haunting him. “She doesn’t care if I have fun.”

I thought of a different option that he could agree with. I pictured something my parents would do then just the opposite of that.

“Maybe she’s given up. She didn’t come to Hogwarts last year so maybe she’ll let you stay here too. Maybe she thought you’d cause too much trouble at home and here.” I tried. Sirius seemed to light up as if it could be true. I could never imagine a life where anything I just said was actually true. It seemed so sad and lonely. No wonder Sirius liked it here so much.

“Yeah, yeah you’re right! Thanks.” He smiled awkwardly. “I s’pose I’ll go to bed now.” He made his way to the door.

“Goodnight!” I smiled.

“Goodnight.” He nodded and went to his room.

Unfortunately for Sirius, I was not right. I was very, very wrong.

It was Christmas Eve in the evening, my father was teaching Remus how to play chess after boasting for teaching Peter and I everything we knew. Sirius and James sat beside them playing gobstones, my mum was finishing up dishes and I was reading a book a girl and her brother traveling through space in time. I think the author was a wizard because there’s no way a muggle could know so much about magic.

Suddenly there was a loud *CRACK* outside. Normally that meant someone had just aparated, but no one came over on Christmas Eve. I looked over and Sirius and he looked afraid for his life, I hoped that she wasn’t at the door.

“Weren't expecting anyone, were we Effie?" My father spoke first, he looked more concerned than I’ve ever seen him. My mum shook her head and we all waited as Gully went to answer the door.

"Oh, Mr Potter, Mr Potter, she's come for young master Black, she's telling me she's his mother! I told them to wait there for you." Gully ran back to my parents. She looked scared and I didn’t blame her. I had never seen Walburga Black, but from what I heard, she was scarier than anything else in life. Gully looked at my parents anxiously.

"She wouldn't..." Sirius whispered, he was shaking.

My dad was talking to Mrs. Black, I could practically hear her screaming at him.
 
"Sirius," my mum started, patiently, "Did your parents give you permission to visit us, dear?" Sirius looked away, my mum clucked her tongue looking concerned. "Oh, sweetheart."

"Don't make him leave, mum!" James broke his silence, I could tell even he feared the women. "He hates them!" 

"They're his parents, James." My mum sounded defeated.

"Sirius!" My dad called from the hall.  

We all got up, as being summoned. My mum lead the way, then James looking as brave as he could. Sirius followed closely behind James, he walked like he was being sentenced to death. Remus and I made the back end of the group. We looked at each other like we were too afraid to speak.

Walburga Black was exactly as I imagined her only ten times scarier. She wasn’t tall but she held herself up so high she became the tallest in the room. She had all the sharp and pointy features as they all had but they looked like knifes on her. Her hair was slicked back into a bun but I could tell her hair was just as curly as her sons. Her clothes were simply perfect on her, her posture was incredible. She could definitely hold all my unread books on her head without them falling. I understood why easier could fear her, she was easy to fear.

Sirius." She with no love, like she was here because Sirius was a burden that she was forced to keep around her. "You will come with me at once. Kreacher!" She snapped her fingers and a wrinkled house elf in a rag appeared instantly. "Go upstairs and fetch master Black's things." The houise elf did something that I’ve never seen a house elf do. He bowed to the floor to kiss the toe of Mrs Black's boots then hurried upstairs. 

"Good evening, Walburga," my mother tried to be civil. My parents never openly talked about the Black family, but there views were always so different it wasn’t hard to tell they didn’t like her, "May I offer you a drink? We were just about to crack out the mince pies, weren't we, boys?" My mum smiled warming up the cold that Mrs. Black brought with her.

Mrs Black didn’t answer, she just killed Sirius with her eyes, "Put on your cloak. We're leaving now." 

"But mother, I--" 

"Don't you dare speak to me." She sounded utterly disrespected by Sirius even attempting to speak. I felt so guilty, I had told Sirius he had nothing to worry about and now after meeting this women, Sirius had everything to worry about. I never meant to get his hopes up just for them to be crushed, I just never imagined parents being like this.

"Walburga, why not let him stay?" My mum tried, "I know he's been a bit naughty, but there's no harm done. We can have him for lunch and send him back before dinner tomorrow. They've all been having such a nice time together." She smiled at the evil women.

Mrs. Black cackled like an evil witch in muggle movies. I was surprised there wasn’t lighting that flashed when she spoke. She looked at James and I to stare into our souls. She looked at our untamable hair, our messy clothes, and mismatched socks. I could tell that she thought we were blood traitors and didn’t deserve the same wizard status and her. The color drained from my skin, I was trapped in her gaze. I know it sounded weird but I was sure that she could kill me with one look. She turned to judge Remus next.

Thankfully Kreacher came with Sirius’s belongings. Not thankfully that Sirius was allowed to leave with this horrid women, but that she was leaving my house. I wanted my home to feel safe again but she made it completely scary and unsafe.

“Come along, Sirius.” She commanded.

"No." He stood his ground in a mumble. I couldn’t believe he had the guts to go against this women, I could never be that brave. Sirius even made eye contact with his mother, he was fierce but unfortunately, his mum was fiercer. "I want to stay here, with the Potters. You can't make me--" 

"SILENCIO!" Walburga yelled slicing her son with her wand. I took a step back out is fear. Sirius shut up instantly, he moved his mouth like he was trying to speaking but no sound came out.

"Walburga, really!" My dad raised his voice, my mum immediately went to Sirius’s side and hugged him, "He's just a boy!" 

"He is my son." Mrs. Black said annoyed and ready to curse my parents, "And he is heir to the finest house in Britain. He will learn his place. Come, Sirius." 

My mum gave Sirius one last hug, tears were building up her eyes. Mrs. Black practically yanked Sirius away from my mum. Sirius waved goodbye to me, James, and Remus. The two left slamming the door and were gone with another *CRACK*. All of me fear turned into worry for Sirius, that women was gone from our lives but he had to go home with her.

"Using a silencing charm on her own son! On an underage wizard! It's morally reprehensible!" My dad was fuming.

"She does worse than that." James said, quietly. Remus nodded, I could tell they knew way more than I did. All I knew was Sirius’s hatred and fear for his parents, I didn’t blame him.

"We'll have to make the house unplottable, Fleamont," my mum spoke up, "Make it so we can't be found – you said you were considering it, after the last election. I don't want that dreadful woman in my house ever again." 

"I'll look into it in the new year. Alastor Moody owes me a favour." My dad sighed.

I looked at my parents worried, I didn’t even know they wanted to hide our home. Who were they worried would come? Mrs. Black didn’t seem too thrilled to come back, so who would we be hiding from? I put my arms around my dad and buried my face into his stomach. He hugged me back tightly.

"Bedtime, kids." My mum was minutes away from crying, I was too. "Try not to worry too much." She hugged James and Remus fiercely before making her way to me. She hugged both me and my father and kissed the top of my head. I wished I could travel back in time and stop Mrs. Black from ever finding my home.